Multi-router igp fate sharing

ABSTRACT

A method for routing communication traffic in a network includes detecting that a link in a parallel link configuration has failed and in response, adjusting one or more metrics associated with other links in the parallel link configuration to indicate that none of the links in the parallel configuration are available. A router connected to a direct link in a parallel link configuration including one or more other routers connected to one or more indirect links, respectively, includes a memory storing configuration parameters specifying a minimum number of links required to be operational in the parallel link configuration and an artificially high cost, and a link metric adjustment module operable to set a metric of the direct link to the artificially high cost until the minimum number of required links are operational after startup of the router or failure and reactivation of the direct link.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to and is a continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/125,478, filed May 22, 2008,titled “MULTI-ROUTER IGP FATE SHARING”, which is incorporated herein byreference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The subject matter discussed herein relates to systems and methods forlink fate sharing in multi-router configurations.

2. Description of the Related Art

In communication networks throughout the world, communication traffic isincreasing exponentially. Network service providers must constantlyupgrade and improve their network infrastructures to compensate for theever-increasing volume of communication traffic. To transport dataacross long distances, network links are provided between largemetropolitan areas, for example, over a backbone network. One way tocompensate for the increase in traffic volume is to add routers atgateways in the metropolitan areas. This can increase the availablebandwidth between cities by using similarly sized routers without havingto replace existing routers. This has the effect of forming parallelnetwork links between different locations. Because of the way routerstypically operate, such parallel configurations can have undesirableconsequences if one or more of the links fail.

Network routers share information about the status of links in thenetwork. Interior gateway protocol (IGP) is one example of a protocolfor sharing network link information. When Open Shortest Path First(OSPF) or similar protocols are used, routers generally choose thelowest cost link route. If the lowest cost link fails, the routers usethe next lowest cost alternative route to avoid the failed link. Inparallel configurations, where there are multiple links between pairs ofcities, if one of the links fails, routers may begin forcing trafficthat would have normally traversed the failed link onto the remainingoperational links between the cities.

The remaining operational links can thereby be overwhelmed. For example,in a two-link parallel configuration, if a link fails, all the trafficfrom the failed link will suddenly be routed onto the remainingfunctional link. Such a situation effectively eliminates any benefit theextra link provided.

The information included in this Background section of thespecification, including any references cited herein and any descriptionor discussion thereof, is included for technical reference purposes onlyand is not to be regarded subject matter by which the scope of theinvention is to be bound.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of a method for routing communication traffic in a networkincludes detecting that a link in a parallel link configuration hasfailed and in response to detecting that the link in the parallel linkconfiguration has failed, adjusting one or more metrics associated withother links in the parallel link configuration to indicate that none ofthe links in the parallel configuration are available. Adjusting the oneor more metrics may include increasing the one or more metrics toartificially high values. Adjusting the one or more metrics may includesetting the one or more metrics to one or more respective values thatreduce the probability of routing communication traffic over theassociated one or more links to less than a threshold probability.

In an embodiment of the method adjusting the one or more metricsincludes setting at least one of the one or more metrics to a maximummetric minus an adjustment factor that is a function of the number oflinks in the parallel link configuration. The adjustment factor may beequal to a base adjustment value minus a minimum link numberrepresenting a minimum number of normally operational links required inthe parallel link configuration. Adjusting the one or more metrics mayinclude setting metrics of all the one or more links to the same value.Adjusting the one or more metrics may include setting the one or moremetrics to artificial values different from actual values detected onthe one or more other links.

An embodiment of the method may further include detecting that thefailed link has become operational and in response to detecting that thefailed link has become operational, adjusting an actual metricassociated with the link that has become operational to an artificialmetric to prevent routing of communication traffic from all other linksin the parallel link configuration onto the link that has becomeoperational. The method may further include propagating the adjusted oneor more metrics throughout the network. Propagating the adjusted one ormore metrics may include advertising the adjusted one or more metricsaccording to an Interior Gateway Protocol.

Another embodiment of a method for routing data may include detectingthat a link has failed in a parallel link configuration, determiningwhether a minimum number of links in the parallel link configuration areoperational, and if the minimum number of links in the parallel linkconfiguration are operational, advertising actual metrics associatedwith the operational links, and if the minimum number of links in theparallel link configuration are not operational, advertising one or moreartificial metrics associated with any remaining operational links inthe parallel link configuration.

An embodiment of the method may further include calculating the one ormore artificial metrics based on the minimum number of links. The methodmay still further include configuring each router in the parallel linkconfiguration with the minimum number and identifiers of the routersincluded in the parallel link configuration. The method may stillfurther include detecting that the failed link has become operationaland in response to detecting that the failed link has becomeoperational, advertising an artificial metric before advertising anactual metric associated with the link that has become operational.Advertising an artificial metric before the actual metric may occur toprevent routing of traffic from other links in the parallel linkconfiguration to the previously failed link.

An embodiment of a router connected to a first link in a parallel linkconfiguration including one or more other routers and one or more otherlinks, includes memory storing configuration parameters specifying aminimum number of links required to be operational in the parallel linkconfiguration and an artificially high cost, and a link metricadjustment module operable to set a metric of the first link to theartificially high cost until the minimum number of required links areoperational after startup of the router or failure and reactivation ofthe first link. The router may further include a link status monitoroperable to detect failure and reactivation of the first link and notifythe link metric adjustment module of the link failure and reactivation.The link status monitor may be further operable to determine if theminimum number of required links are operational.

An embodiment of the may further include an advertising module operableto advertise the first link metric. The configuration parameters mayfurther specify an actual cost of the first link, and wherein the metricadjustment module is further operable to set the first link metric tothe actual cost when the minimum number of required links areoperational.

Another embodiment of a method carried out by a router in a parallellink configuration in a network, includes advertising an actual metriccost for a metric associated with a link directly connected to therouter, detecting failure of the directly connected link, discontinuingadvertising the actual metric cost in response to detecting failure ofthe directly connected link, detecting reactivation of the directlyconnect link, and advertising an artificially high metric cost until aminimum number of other links in the parallel link configuration areactive.

The methods described herein may be carried out by one or moreprocessors executing processor-executable instructions included on aprocessor-readable medium or media. For example the one or moreprocessors may execute in a computing device, wherein computer storagemedia (e.g., memory) is communicably coupled to the one or moreprocessors via a communication bus.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Otherfeatures, details, utilities, and advantages of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following more particular written descriptionof various embodiments of the invention as further illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and defined in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a network diagram illustrating an operating environment forsystems and methods according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a network diagram illustrating an example parallel linkconfiguration and an associated scenario.

FIG. 3 is a network diagram illustrating another example parallel linkconfiguration.

FIG. 4 is a state diagram illustrating operating states that a routercan enter when configured in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example staged recovery algorithmin accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example direct link failure andrecovery detection process in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example fate sharing process thatcan be carried out by a router in a parallel link configuration inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a functional module diagram illustrating example functionalmodules and data of a router in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a general purpose computing system thatmay be implemented as a router or a computing device for configuring arouter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a network diagram illustrating an operating environment 100 inwhich various embodiments of systems and methods described herein may bedeployed. Multiple regional networks 102 are in communication viaanother network 104, which may be a backbone network or other network.The regional networks 102 are each generally geographically located nearor around cities, such as Chicago, San Jose, London, New York City, orothers. The regional networks 102 may correspond to metropolitan areanetworks, campus area networks, local telephone company networks, orother regional network. One or more of the regional networks 102 and/ornetwork 104 may be composed of multiple sub-networks.

Data communicated to or from the regional networks 102 across network104 travels through routers, such as routers 106 a-106 f, referred tocollectively as routers 106. Routers 106 may be deployed at respectivegateways geographically located near the regional networks 102. Routers106 may be referred to as edge routers, because of their location withrespect to the network 104. However, the systems and methods describedherein may be carried out on any routers in a parallel linkconfiguration, discussed further below. Communication links 108 a-108 f(or simply, “links”), referred to collectively as communication links108, may each be composed of optical fiber bundles.

A parallel link configuration is a group of router sets, where each setof routers includes two or more routers located in a given region, andthe routers of each set are communicably linked to respective routers ofanother set. For example, in FIG. 1 routers 106 a, 106 b, 106 c, 106 dand the links 108 a, 108 b disposed between the routers comprise aparallel link configuration. In such a configuration, communicationtraffic can be distributed over both links 108 a and 108 b to becommunicated from one region to the other. Although only two routers areshown at each region, there may be more at each region. For example,FIG. 3 shows a parallel link configuration including four routers ateach location at ends of the links. In other arrangements, there may bethree, five, six or more routers connected at opposite sides in theparallel link configuration.

It is to be understood that the term “parallel” as used in the phrase“parallel link configuration” is not meant in a geometrical sense. Assuch, the links between routers in a parallel link configuration are notnecessarily geometrically parallel. Parallel means that each link in theconfiguration connects to one of multiple routers in one region and oneof multiple routers in another region.

FIG. 2 illustrates example parallel link configurations between Atlantaand Washington D.C., Atlanta and Chicago, and Chicago and WashingtonD.C. If a link fails in any of the parallel link configurations, trafficthat normally would have been transmitted on the failed link can betransmitted over the other link in the parallel link configuration.However, the other (operational) link in the parallel link configurationmay be overwhelmed with the excess traffic, causing delayed or failedtransmissions, or other communication problems. It may be better totransmit the traffic of one parallel link configuration having one ormore failed links over an alternative route, for example, the nextlowest cost route.

In one embodiment, routers are configured such that, if one or morelinks fail in a parallel link configuration, the routers may make otherlinks in the configuration appear to be effectively failed. When it isdetermined that a certain number of links have failed in the parallellink configuration, routers in the configuration set the metric of theother links (that haven't failed) at an artificially high cost. In sodoing, data will not be transmitted over links having an artificiallyhigh cost, but rather routed via other links.

Referring again to the example scenario shown in FIG. 2, under normaloperation, routers 202 a and 202 b in Atlanta advertise a cost for links204 a and 204 b, respectively, which represents the actual cost of thelinks 204 a and 204 b when they are operational. For example, under theOpen Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocol, the actual cost of links 204 aand 204 b may be 800. Embodiments are also applicable to environmentsthat use the ISIS protocol. The actual cost is typically provisionedonto the routers when the routers are configured for operation.

In the example scenario of FIG. 2, a link 204 a between Atlanta andWashington D.C. has failed, as depicted by the large solid “X” 206 overthe link 204 a. The link failure 206 may occur for any number ofreasons, such as, but not limited to, a cut fiber bundle ormis-configuration of the link 202 a. The failure 206 renders the link202 a inoperative or inactive for carrying communication traffic betweenAtlanta and Washington D.C. via router 202 a. Router 202 a detects thelink failure 206 and discontinues advertising the metric associated withthe link 204 a. By discontinuing advertising of the metric of link 204a, the router 202 a notifies other routers, such as 202 b, 208 a and 208b that link 204 a has failed.

Fate sharing refers to a process of creating and artificial appearanceof failure in operational links in a parallel link configuration so thattraffic volume over the operational links corresponds to traffic volumeover inoperative links in the parallel configuration. Embodimentsdescribed herein alter traffic flow in operational links of a parallellink configuration using the Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP). Accordingto these embodiments, routers that are part of a parallel linkconfiguration adjust metric costs of operational links when specifiednumber of links in the parallel link configuration become inactive.

Referring to the scenario depicted in FIG. 2, after link 204 a fails,router 202 b can determine that link 204 a has failed because router 202a will stop advertising a metric for link 204 a. When router 202 bdetermines that link 204 a has failed, router 202 b adjusts the metriccost of link 204 b to alter traffic flow across link 202 b. According tosome embodiments, the router 202 b sets the metric cost of link 204 b toan artificially high value to create an artificial failure 210 (shown bycross-hatched “X”). The artificially high value is chosen to be higherthan metric costs of other links connected to routers 202 a and 202 b.The artificial failure 210 is not an actual failure because link 204 bis still active and operational; however, artificial failure 210 has theeffect of simulating a failure condition, thereby preventing (ordiminishing) traffic flow across link 204 b. As a result, other links,such as link 212 a and 212 b, which are connected to routers 202 a and202 b will be used to route traffic to Atlanta, instead of link 204 b.

In accordance with one embodiment, the artificially high metric is afunction of a minimum number of links that must be operational in theparallel link configuration. The function may take the following generalform:

Adjusted Cost=Max Cost−Adjustment Value   (1)

Adjustment Value=Base Adj Value−Min Req'd Active Links   (2)

In the foregoing equations, the Adjusted Cost is the cost that a metricof an operational link will be set to when the minimum number of linksare not operational in a parallel link configuration. The Max Cost isthe maximum cost that a link metric can take on, according to theprotocol being used (e.g., OSPF or ISIS). Adjustment Value is a valueused for adjusting the metric. In one embodiment, Adjustment Value is afunction of the specified minimum number of active links. In oneembodiment, Adjustment Value is determined from the function shown inequation (2).

The Base Adj Value is a base adjustment value, which can be selected inan arbitrary fashion or selected based on the Max Cost or on some otherbasis. Base Adj Value is typically larger than Min Req'd Active Links.In one embodiment, the Base Adj Value is selected to be large enough tocover any reasonable number of equal cost paths (e.g., 32) but not largeenough to impact metric values that might be in use for other reasons.For example, assume 60,000 is a “high” cost that is commonly used todivert traffic off a link (e.g., for testing or other purposes). If BaseAdj Value is 10000, the value of 60,000 would fall in the affected rangeof metrics that are being used for signaling. In a very worst casescenario there might be, for example, 9,999 equal cost links. As such, aBase Adj Value of 10,000 would probably be too high because anadjustment of the metric with this value could adversely impact decisionmaking based on other selected metric costs, but it is unnecessarilyhigh for purposes of covering a reasonable number of equal cost links.

The Min Req'd Active Links value represents the minimum number of active(operational) links that are required to maintain the active link metricat the actual cost.

To illustrate, assuming the parallel link configuration of FIG. 2 andassuming OSPF is being employed by the routers 202 a and 202 b, thefollowing values may be used to determine the Adjusted Cost:

Max Cost=65,535   (3)

Base Adj Value=63   (4)

Min Req'd Active Links=2   (5)

Using the above assigned numbers, when router 202 b determines that link202 a has failed, router 202 b determines that fewer than the minimumnumber of required active links are active. Specifically, the minimumnumber of required active links is 2, but only 1 link is currentlyactive after link 202 a fails. In response to the determined less than 2required active links, router 202 b sets the metric of link 202 b to anadjusted cost (e.g., artificially high cost). Using equations (1)-(5)above, the adjusted metric for link 202 b is 65,474.

The routers in parallel link configurations are configured withinformation for carrying out the fate sharing process. In addition, astaged recovery process is generally carried out to coordinate therouters' re-entry into normal operation, either upon startup or after anactual link failure. Router configuration and staged recovery arediscussed in detail below with reference to FIGS. 3-5.

FIG. 3 illustrates a parallel link configuration 300 with four routers302 at each end of the links 304. In this example, one end is in Atlantaand the other end is in Washington D.C. Prefixes are shown inassociation with router ports. For example, Atlanta router 302 a isassociated with prefix 1.1.1.1, Washington D.C. router 302 e isassociated with prefix 1.1.1.2, and so on. The routers 302 areconfigured with parameters of the parallel link configuration. Theseparallel link configuration parameters are in addition to otherconfiguration parameters that are traditionally stored in the routers302. To illustrate how a router in a parallel link configuration may beconfigured, the following example configuration parameters may be storedon Atlanta router 302 a:

-   -   interface portchannel 1        -   description WDC link        -   ip address 1.1.1.1/30        -   ip ospf cost 800        -   minimum-bundles 3        -   candidate-bundles prefix-list wdc-bundles    -   ip prefix-list wdc-bundles        -   seq 5 permit 1.1.1.0/30        -   seq 10 permit 1.1.1.4/30        -   seq 15 permit 1.1.1.8/30        -   seq 20 permit 1.1.1.12/30

In the above parameters, “minimum-bundles 3” and “candidate-bundlesprefix-list wdc-bundles” represent a new syntax and information relevantto parallel link configurations. The parameter “minimum-bundles 3”specifies the minimum number of links that must be active (operational)in order to advertise the actual cost of the WDC link. In this case, theminimum number of links is 3. The parameter “candidate-bundlesprefix-list wdc-bundles” identifies prefix ranges included in theparallel link configuration. As shown in the configuration parameters,the prefix ranges are specified by “seq 5 permit 1.1.1.0/30”, “seq 10permit 1.1.1.4/30”, “seq 15 permit 1.1.1.8/30”, “seq 20 permit1.1.1.12/30”. The prefix ranges identify the links in the parallel linkconfiguration.

The configuration indicated above differs syntactically from FIG. 3 todistinguish between the configuration on the router—e.g. 1.1.1.1—and theprefix that is advertised—1.1.1.0/30. As will be understood by thoseskilled in the art, the route covers everything in the LAN (or subnet)range. If a router-to-router link is configured as 1.1.1.0/30 then oneend will have address 1.1.1.1 and the other end will have address1.1.1.2. The top address is the “broadcast” address—1.1.1.3 in thiscase, and the lowest (1.1.1.0) is the “network address. A /30 range onlyhas four addresses (32 bits in binary, with 30 held constant, gives 00,01, 10 and 11 as possible binary numbers).

Configured with the above parameters, Atlanta router 302 a is programmedto monitor status of links 304 in the parallel link configuration 300.When 2 or more links 304 have an actual failure, Atlanta router 302 acarries out the fate sharing process, wherein the metric of router's 302a link 304 a (the link between router 302 a and 302 e) is set to anartificially high value. Setting the link 304 a metric to anartificially high value creates the effect of an artificial failure onthe link 304 a, even though the link is operational.

Continuing with the example, the metric cost will be adjusted from 800to some adjusted cost. In one embodiment the adjusted cost is themaximum cost minus a base adjustment value plus the minimum number ofrequired active links. Assuming OSPF is used and the base adjustmentvalue is 63, the adjusted cost is:

Adjusted Cost=65,535 −63+3=65,475   (6)

In the scenario of FIG. 3, when the routers 302 determine that fewerthan three links 304 are active, the routers 302 connected to theremaining operational links will set the metrics of the operationallinks to 65,475 and advertise the adjusted metric. The routers 302connected to operational links will continue to advertise the adjustedmetric until three or more links 304 become active again.

When an actually failed link reactivates, the router 302 attached to thereactivated link goes through a staged recovery process. In the stagedrecovery process, the attached router 302 does not begin advertising theactual cost (e.g., 800 in this case), but rather first advertises theartificially high cost (e.g., 65,475 in this case) and monitors thestatus of other links in the parallel link configuration. In the stagedrecovery process, the router 302 does not advertise the actual costuntil it determines that the specified minimum number of links areactive (and the router's own link has not actually failed).

It should be noted that links for which the artificially high cost isbeing advertised are active links. Therefore, during the staged recoveryprocess links that are being advertised at the artificially high costare recognized as active, rather than actually failed, links. Anexemplary staged recovery process is shown in FIG. 5 and describedfurther below. The staged recovery process is carried out by all routers302 in the parallel link configuration 300 upon startup. It is to beunderstood that the particular numerical values shown and discussedabove are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limitembodiments to those particular values. Those skilled in the art will beable to determine values associated with the parameters discussed hereinthat are within the scope of the invention and provide functionality andadvantages discussed with regard to the shown embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a state diagram illustrating a state machine 400 that a routercan execute, according to one embodiment. The state machine 400 includesthree states: a normal link state 402, an actual link failure state 404and an artificial link failure state 406.

The router starts in the artificial failure state 406. In the artificialfailure state 406, the link connected to the router is operational(i.e., not actually failed), and an artificially high metric cost isadvertised. In one embodiment, the artificially high link cost is afunction of a maximum cost and an adjustment value. The adjustment valuecan be a function of a minimum number (N) of links that are specified tobe operational for normal operation. In these embodiments, theartificially high metric cost may be computed using one or more of theequations (1)-(5) shown and discussed above. The router may beconfigured with the artificially high cost and/or the router may performreal-time computation of the artificially high metric.

While in the artificial failure state 406, the router checks the statusof the links in the parallel link configuration. The router continues toadvertise the artificially high cost for its link (i.e., the linkconnected to the router in the parallel link configuration) until eitherat least the N operational links are operational (i.e., not actuallyfailed) or the router's link actually fails. If the router's link fails,the router enters the actual link failure state. If the router's link isoperational and N total links are operational in the parallel linkconfiguration, the router enters the normal link state.

In the normal link state 402, the router advertises the actual cost forthe router's link. Typically, the actual link cost is configured intothe router and can be read from memory. While in the normal link state402 the router continues to monitor the status of links in the parallellink configuration. If the router's link is operational, but fewer thanN links in the parallel link configuration are operational, the routerenters the artificial failure state 406. If an actual link failure ofthe router's link is detected in the normal link state 402, the routerenters the actual link failure state 404.

While in the actual link failure state 404, the metric for the router'slink is not advertised. The router continues to monitor status of thelinks in the parallel link configuration. If the router's linkreactivates (becomes operational again), the router enters theartificial link failure state 406.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a staged recovery algorithm 500according to one embodiment. The algorithm 500 is performed by a routerin a parallel link configuration on start up and after reactivation of apreviously failed link. In the processes shown in FIGS. 5-7, it isassumed the routers are provisioned with configuration parameters suchas those shown above. Initially, a query operation 502 checks the statusof the link directly connected to the router performing the algorithm500. If the link is inoperative (i.e., actually failed), the algorithm500 branches “FAILED” to operation 504, which is actually anon-operation, wherein the link metric is not advertised. Operation 504is illustrated merely to emphasize that the link metric of the failedlink is not advertised. The algorithm 500 returns to operation 502 toagain check the status of the directly connected link.

If and when the status of the directly connected link is determined tobe operational, the algorithm 500 branches “ACTIVE” to an advertisingoperation 506 sets the link metric to the artificially high cost andadvertises the artificially high cost for the link connected to therouter in the parallel link configuration. A checking operation 508monitors advertised costs of other links in the parallel linkconfiguration.

A querying operation 510 determines whether the minimum number of linksare active in the parallel link configuration. In one embodiment, a linkis determined to be failed (i.e., inactive or inoperative) if the linkis not being advertised. A link is not failed if a metric is beingadvertised for the link, even if the metric value is the artificiallyhigh metric value. If the minimum number of links are not active, theprocess 500 branches “NO” back to advertising operation 506 andcontinues to advertise the artificially high cost. On the other hand, ifit is determined that at least the minimum number of links are active,the algorithm 500 branches “YES” to another advertising operation 512,where the actual cost is advertised.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a direct link failure algorithm 600carried out by a router in a parallel link configuration when a linkthat is directly connect to the router in the configuration fails. Inother words, the algorithm 600 is performed by a router when its ownlink in the parallel link configuration fails. The algorithm 600 can beentered from any state. For example, the direct link may fail when therouter is advertising the actual cost or when the router is advertisingthe artificially high cost.

Initially, it is assumed that prior to the link failure, the router hasperformed 602 the staged recovery shown in FIG. 5, although this may notnecessarily be the case. For example, the router may not make itcompletely through the staged recovery before detecting a link failure.After startup or the staged recovery process 602, a detecting operation604 detects failure of the directly connected link in the parallel linkconfiguration. In response to detecting the failure, a discontinuingoperation 606 stops advertising the metric for the failed link. Aftersome amount of time, another detecting operation 608 detectsreactivation of the previously failed link. Another performing operation612 performs the staged recovery process shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a fate sharing algorithm 700 that canbe carried out by a router in a parallel link configuration. Initially,it is assumed that the staged recovery process of FIG. 5 is performedand the router is advertising the actual cost for the direct link. Amonitoring operation 704 monitors for metrics being advertised (or notbeing advertised) from other routers in the parallel link configuration.As long as the minimum number of links are being advertised, thealgorithm 704 continues to advertise the actual cost.

At some point, a determining operation 706 determines that fewer thanthe minimum number of links are active. The determining operation 706determines that a link is not active if its link metric is notadvertised. An adjusting operation 708 adjusts the cost of the metric ofthe direct link to the artificially high value. In one embodiment,adjusting operation 708 sets the metric equal to a value that is afunction of the maximum allowed cost and an adjustment value. In oneembodiment the adjustment value is a function of a base adjustment valueand the specified minimum number of required active links. Equations(1)-(2) shown above are one example of functions that can be used by theadjusting operation. In some embodiments, the router does not actuallyperform the computations of equations (1)-(2). Instead, the adjustmentvalue can be provisioned on the router when the router is configured.

In an advertising operation 710, the adjusted cost is advertised insteadof the actual cost. In a monitoring operation 712, the router againmonitors advertisement (or nonadvertisement) of other links in theparallel link configuration. A querying operation 714 determines whetherthe specified minimum number of active links are present in the parallellink configuration. If not, the algorithm 700 branches “NO” back tomonitoring operation 712, where the other links continue to bemonitored. If and when the minimum number of links become active, thequerying operation 710 branches “YES” to another adjusting operation716, where the metric of the directly connected link is readjusted tothe actual cost. Another advertising operation 718 then advertises thereadjusted metric at the actual cost.

FIG. 8 is a functional module diagram illustrating a router 800 havingfunctional modules and data in accordance with various embodiments.Although a router typically will include other modules and data thanthose shown in FIG. 8, example modules and data are shown that are mostrelevant to fate sharing processes that can be carried out by a routerin a parallel link configuration. The modules can be made up ofhardware, software, firmware or any combination thereof. In oneparticular embodiment modules include memory storing processorexecutable instructions and data, and a processor that executes theinstructions to carry out processes associated with fate sharing.

A link status monitor 802 monitors the status of links in the parallellink configuration, including link(s) connected directly to the router800 and indirect links, which are links connected to other routers inthe parallel link configuration. The links may be failed (inactive,inoperative) or operational (e.g., active). Generally if a metric isadvertised in association with a link, the link is operational.

The link status monitor 802 receives information about links in theparallel link configuration and outputs signals or data indicative oflink status. The link status module 802 receives (e.g., reads frommemory) metrics advertised by other routers in the parallel linkconfiguration and uses parallel link configuration parameters inconfiguration data 806 to make the relevant determinations and outputdata. In one embodiment, the link status monitor 802 indicates if fewerthan the required number of links are operational and whether the directlink(s) is failed. The configuration data 806 is discussed furtherbelow.

A metric adjustment module 808 sets and adjusts the metric(s) associatedwith directly connected links based on outputs from the link statusmonitor 802. The metric adjustment module 808 uses parallel linkconfiguration parameters in the configuration data 806 to determine howto adjust or set the metric(s). In one embodiment, the metric adjustmentmodule 808 sets a direct link metric to an actual cost under normaloperating conditions but sets the direct link metric to an artificiallyhigh cost when fewer than a specified number of links in the parallellink configuration are operational.

An embodiment of the metric adjustment module 808 carries out a stagedrecovery process. Upon startup and after reactivation of a failed link,the metric adjustment module 808 initially sets the link metric to theartificially high cost and maintains the metric at the artificially highcost until the minimum number of required links are operational in theparallel link configuration.

An advertising module 810 receives the cost from the metric adjustmentmodule 808 and advertises the direct link metric(s) when the direct linkis operational. In one embodiment, the advertising module 810 advertisesaccording to the Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP). The configuration data806 includes parameters relevant to one or more parallel linkconfigurations that the router 800 is part of. Example parameters areshown above. In general, the parallel link configuration parametersidentify the routers and links in the parallel link configuration, aminimum number of links required to advertise the actual cost of thedirect link, and an artificially high cost to be advertised when fewerthan the required number of links are operational (assuming the directlink is operational).

The router 800 also includes a routing table 812 for use in forwardingpackets. The router 800 may also include other functional modules 814and other data 816.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a computing device 900 upon whichembodiments of the present invention may be implemented and carried out.For example, one or more computing devices 900 may be used to configurea router, or the components of the computing device 900 may comprise arouter operable to perform the fate sharing functions described herein.As discussed herein, embodiments of the present invention includevarious steps or operations. A variety of these steps may be performedby hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executableinstructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose orspecial-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to performthe operations. Alternatively, the steps may be performed by acombination of hardware, software, and/or firmware.

According to the present example, the computing device 900 includes abus 901, at least one processor 902, at least one communication port903, a main memory 904, a removable storage media 905, a read onlymemory 906, and a mass storage 907. Processor(s) 902 can be any knowprocessor, such as, but not limited to, an Intel® Itanium® or Itanium 2®processor(s), AMD® Opteron® or Athlon MP® processor(s), or Motorola®lines of processors. Communication port(s) 903 can be any of an RS-232port for use with a modem based dialup connection, a 10/100 Ethernetport, a Gigabit port using copper or fiber, or a USB port. Communicationport(s) 903 may be chosen depending on a network such a Local AreaNetwork (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), or any network to which thecomputing device 900 connects. The computing device 900 may be incommunication with peripheral devices (not shown) such as, but notlimited to, printers, speakers, cameras, microphones, or scanners.

Main memory 904 can be Random Access Memory (RAM), or any other dynamicstorage device(s) commonly known in the art. Read only memory 906 can beany static storage device(s) such as Programmable Read Only Memory(PROM) chips for storing static information such as instructions forprocessor 902. Mass storage 907 can be used to store information andinstructions. For example, hard disks such as the Adaptec® family ofSCSI drives, an optical disc, an array of disks such as RAID, such asthe Adaptec family of RAID drives, or any other mass storage devices maybe used.

Bus 901 communicatively couples processor(s) 902 with the other memory,storage and communication blocks. Bus 901 can be a PCI/PCI-X, SCSI, orUSB based system bus (or other) depending on the storage devices used.Removable storage media 905 can be any kind of external hard-drives,floppy drives, IOMEGA® Zip Drives, Compact Disc-Read Only Memory(CD-ROM), Compact Disc-Re-Writable (CD-RW), Digital Video Disk-Read OnlyMemory (DVD-ROM).

Embodiments of the present invention include various steps, which willbe described in this specification. The steps may be performed byhardware components or may be embodied in machine-executableinstructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose orspecial-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to performthe steps. Alternatively, the steps may be performed by a combination ofhardware, software and/or firmware.

Embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a computerprogram product, which may include a machine-readable medium havingstored thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer (orother electronic devices) to perform a process. The machine-readablemedium may include, but is not limited to, floppy diskettes, opticaldisks, compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-opticaldisks, ROMs, random access memories (RAMs), erasable programmableread-only memories (EPROMs), electrically erasable programmableread-only memories (EEPROMs), magnetic or optical cards, flash memory,or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storingelectronic instructions. Moreover, embodiments of the present inventionmay also be downloaded as a computer program product, wherein theprogram may be transferred from a remote computer to a requestingcomputer by way of data signals embodied in a carrier wave or otherpropagation medium via a communication link (e.g., a modem or networkconnection).

Although various embodiments of this invention have been described abovewith a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or moreindividual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerousalterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from thespirit or scope of this invention. All directional references (e.g.,proximal, distal, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral,front, back, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise,and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aidthe reader's understanding of the present invention, and do not createlimitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of theinvention. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected,and joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediatemembers between a collection of elements and relative movement betweenelements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references donot necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and infixed relation to each other. It is intended that all matter containedin the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail orstructure may be made without departing from the basic elements of theinvention as defined in the following claims.

1. A method for routing communication traffic in a network, the methodcomprising: detecting that a link in a parallel link configuration hasfailed; and in response to detecting that the link in the parallel linkconfiguration has failed, adjusting one or more metrics associated withother links in the parallel link configuration to indicate that none ofthe links in the parallel configuration are available.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein adjusting the one or more metrics comprises increasingthe one or more metrics to one or more artificially high values,respectively.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein adjusting the one ormore metrics comprises setting the one or more metrics to one or morerespective values that reduce the probability of routing communicationtraffic over the associated one or more links to less than a thresholdprobability.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the one or moremetrics comprises setting at least one of the one or more metrics to amaximum metric minus an adjustment factor that is a function of thenumber of links in the parallel link configuration.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the adjustment factor is equal to a base adjustmentvalue minus a minimum link number representing a minimum number ofnormally operational links required in the parallel link configuration.6. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the one or more metricscomprises setting metrics of all the one or more links to the samevalue.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the one or moremetrics comprises setting the one or more metrics to artificial valuesdifferent from actual values detected on the one or more other links. 8.The method of claim 1, further comprising propagating the adjusted oneor more metrics throughout the network.
 9. The method of claim 9,wherein propagating the adjusted one or more metrics comprisesadvertising the adjusted one or more metrics according to an InteriorGateway Protocol.
 10. A method for routing data, the method comprising:detecting that a link has failed in a parallel link configuration;determining whether a minimum number of links in the parallel linkconfiguration are operational; if the minimum number of links in theparallel link configuration are operational, advertising actual metricsassociated with the operational links; and if the minimum number oflinks in the parallel link configuration are not operational,advertising one or more artificial metrics associated with any remainingoperational links in the parallel link configuration.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising calculating the one or more artificialmetrics based on the minimum number of links.
 12. The method of claim10, further comprising configuring each router in the parallel linkconfiguration with the minimum number and identifiers of the routersincluded in the parallel link configuration.
 13. A router connected to afirst link in a parallel link configuration including one or more otherrouters and one or more other links, the router comprising: memorystoring configuration parameters specifying a minimum number of linksrequired to be operational in the parallel link configuration and anartificially high cost; and a link metric adjustment module operable toset a metric of the first link to the artificially high cost until theminimum number of required links are operational after startup of therouter or failure and reactivation of the first link.
 14. The router ofclaim 13, further comprising a link status monitor operable to determineif the minimum number of required links are operational.
 15. The routerof claim 13, further comprising an advertising module operable toadvertise the first link metric.
 16. The router of claim 13, wherein theconfiguration parameters further specify an actual cost of the firstlink, and wherein the metric adjustment module is further operable toset the first link metric to the actual cost when the minimum number ofrequired links are operational.
 17. A method carried out by a router ina parallel link configuration in a network, the method comprising:advertising an actual metric cost for a metric associated with a linkdirectly connected to the router; detecting failure of the directlyconnected link; discontinuing advertising the actual metric cost inresponse to detecting failure of the directly connected link; detectingreactivation of the directly connected link; and advertising anartificially high metric cost until a minimum number of other links inthe parallel link configuration are active.